Method of constructing laminated fan ring for cooling towers



June 12, 1956 T. MART 2,749,605

METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING LAMINATED FAN RING FOR COOLING TOWERS Original Filed April 24. 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l l l A I INVENTOR.

Lea/7 7? Mam fi I TTORN June 12, 1956 I L. T. MART METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING LAMINATED FAN RING FOR COOLING TOWERS Original Filed April 24, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. Lea/7 7T Mari United States Patent METHOD OF CONSTRUCTI NG LAMINATED FAN RING FOR COOLING TOWERS Leon T. Mart, Mission Township, Johnson County, Kans assignor to The Marley Company, a corporation of Delaware Original application April 24, 1950, Serial No. 157,719.

Divided and this application September 29, 1952, Serial No. 311,991

3 Claims. (Cl. 29-431) This invention relates broadly to the field of heating and ventilation, the primary object being to provide in cooling tower construction, a novel fan ring in the nature of a tubular body wherein the walls thereof are formed by laminations throughout the length of the body and so laid as to present a flared portion in the body at one side of the fan.

This application is a division of my co-pending application Serial No. 157,719, filed April 24, 1950, now Patent No. 2,681,178.

It is the most important object of the present invention to provide a laminated, tubular body having a plurality of layers of sheet material so arranged at one end thereof in a plurality of telescoped bands as to present a flared construction slightly greater in diameter than the fan blade at one end thereof and progressively increasing in diameter as the opposite end of the flared portion is approached.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tubular body consisting of laminated wall construction having at one end thereof a number of relatively telescoped continuous bands, the bands progressively decreasing in diameter as one end of the flared portion of the body is approached and being stepped, whereby to present such flared portion in the body.

A further object of the present invention relates to the provision of a cooling tower fan ring having a number of telescoped bands of progressively decreased diameter, wherein the edges of the bands are spaced-apart and the distance between such edges progressively increase as the smaller end of the flared portion of the body is approached.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a cooling tower fan blade tubular body having the aforesaid laminated bands intermediate the ends of the body of an increased width whereby to present needed strength while maintaining the desired curvature of the flared portion adjacent its smallest diameter.

It is another aim of the present invention to provide method of producing a laminated fan ring of the aforementioned character that includes the steps of providing a suitable framework upon which certain of the bands are secured and further against which the remaining bands may rest and be held properly positioned while interconnection is made between the bands.

A still further aim of this invention is to provide a method which includes the steps of first positioning a number of preformed and suitably contoured fixtures in a continuous pattern and thereupon securing a startingband upon the fixtures to serve as a guide in laying the remaining bands or rings of the laminated structure and interconnecting the same to produce the completed tubular body having a flared end prior to removal of the framelike fixtures.

Other more minor objects will be made clear or become apparent as the following specification progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary, top plan view of a laminated fan ring for cooling towers made in accordance with my present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical, substantially central, cross-sectional view taken on line II-II of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view showing the supporting or guiding framework utilized in producing a fan ring of the kind illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line IVIV of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

The advantages of the fan ring about to be described and its method of manufacture relating to saving in costs not only with respect to the material utilized, but time and expense in manufacture will become apparent upon an understanding of the construction thereof and if the fan throat construction is made as hereinafter specified, the advantages emanating therefrom will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

One form of cooling tower fan commonly employed in the field of air conditioning and analogous arts, is illustrated in the drawings and designated by the numeral 10. Fan 10 is mounted for rotation on a vertical axis through the medium of a plurality of brackets 12 of any suitable character that are in turn secured upon the innermost face of a tubular body broadly designated by the numeral 14.

It is this body 14 and its method of manufacture that forms the subject matter hereof and as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, body 14 has a substantially, cylindrical, uppermost portion 16 and a circular, flared lowermost portion 18. It is to be understood, however, that the horizontal, cross-sectional contour of body 14 is not particularly important and may be polygonal, if desired. However, it has been found most advantageous in cooling tower fan rings, to circumscribe fan 10 with little clearance between the innermost face of body 14 and the outermost tips of the fan 10.

It is noted in Fig. 2 of the drawings, that body 14 is formed in its entirety through use of laminations or superimposed layers of sheet material that are suitably interconnected in a particular manner to form the cylindrical portion 16 and the portion 18 that flares outwardly as the lowermost end of body 14 is approached.

Referring first to the annular wall of uppermost body portion 16, it is seen that there is provided a plurality of superimposed or relatively telescoped layers 20 extending throughout the entire vertical length of body portion 16. While four such layers 20 are illustrated in Fig. 2, it is obvious that the number of layers 20 may be increased or decreased as desired to suit the needs of the manufacturer, but that in any event, each layer 20 is composed of a plurality of vertically superimposed continuous bands or rings broadly designated by the numeral 22.

It is noted that the bands 22 of each layer 20 thereof, are arranged in edge-to-edge abutting relationship, each band 22 therefore, being in underlying supporting relationship to the band 22 next above.

Each band 22 in turn comprises a plurality of elongated, arcuate segments 24 arranged in end-to-end abutting relationship. As will hereinafter be made clear the segments 24 comprise initially flat strips of sheet material that are formed into the arcuate contour illustrated as the body 14 is assembled and in this connection, it is contemplated that such strips of material for forming segments 24, comprise a relatively strong, yet bendable wood material, although it is to be understood that the composition of such strips of material may be varied within the scope of this invention as desired. It has been found, however, that in the interest of lightness, ease of handling and reduction in cost of manufacture, segments 24 should be formed from a suitable redwood, readily obtainable upon the open market. Such material is advantageous because of the fact that it is highly resistant to the elements and is not appreciably affected by moisture particularly, thereby further decreasing the cost of manufacture because of the fact that paint or other protective coatings are not needed.

Fig. 2 of the drawings clearly illustrates additionally that all of the joints 26 of each band 22 between segments 24 are offset with respect to the joints 26 of the band 22 immediately therebelow and thereabove.

Additionally, the joints 26 of each layer are otfset with respect to the joints 26 of adjacent layers. Similarly, joints 26 between the bands 22 of each layer 20 are offset with respect to the joints 28 of adjacent layers 20.

Referring now to the flared portion 18 of body 14, a plurality of relative narrow, continuous bands 30 are arranged in telescoping relationship commencing from the lowermost end of body 14. Annular bands 30, like bands 22, each comprise a number of arcuate, end-toend abutting segments 32, formed from initially flat, elongated strips of sheet material. Similarly, joints 34 between segments 32 of each band 30 are offset with respect to the joints 34 of adjacent bands 30. Commencing with the lowermost band 30 of flared portion 13, bands 30 progressively decrease in diameter as the uppermost band 30 is approached. Furthermore, the bands 30 are all arranged in stepped relationship with the uppermost and lowermost edges 36 and 38 respectively of bands 30 in substantial parallelism. The stepped arrangement is produced by slightly raising each band 30 as the uppermost band 30 is approached, each edge 36 therefore being spaced apart from the proximal edge 36 of adjacent bands 30. Since the bands 30 are of identical width, such spacing is on the innermost concave surface of body portion 18. It is notable further, that such spacing between horizontal edges 36 of the bands 36, progressively increases as the uppermost band 30 is approached. The flared contour of that body portion 18 defined by bands 30 is generally uniform, but as the body portion 16 is approached such curvature is radically increased, necessitating the utilization therefore of a plurality of telescoped and stepped bands 40 that are appreciably wider than the bands 30. Here again, as in the case of the bands 30. a plurality of arcuate, abutting segments 42 are provided to produce bands 40 and their abutting joints are in offset relationship. Furthermore, as in the case of the bands 30, all proximal edges of the bands 40 are spaced-apart to present the stepped contour and the spacing between such edges progressively increases as the body section 16 is approached. It is seen that through use of the relatively wide bands 40, an increased overlapping is presented between the plurality of laminated layers presenting a relatively strong mid-section at the point of increased curvature.

Bands 22, 30 and 40 are all suitably interconnected in any desired manner, it being contemplated that bolts or nails, preferably the latter, should be used and that such fastening elements be of a nature that will withstand corrosion for a considerable period of time. Obviously, the uppermost band 30 is joined directly to the lowermost band 40 over which it is telescoped and the uppermost band 40 is joined to and interlocked with the laminated layers 20 of body section 16 to present a unitary, upright, self-sustaining structure.

An annular ring 44, also preferably made from a plurality of layers, each including a number of abutting arcuate segments, completely circumscribes the body portion 16 adjacent the uppermost end thereof and is secured thereto through the medium of bolts or the like 46.

A similar ring 48 completely circumscribes the lowermost band 30 of body portion 18 and is suitably secured thereto. Band 48 rests directly upon the perforated top wall of the cooling tower housing 50 and is secured there- Cit to through the medium of a plurality of bolts 52. It is noted that the fan 10 is disposed with its horizontal plane directly above the uppermost edge of flared body portion 18 and within the cylindrical body portion 16, but it is to be understood that the positioning of fan 10, through use of the brackets 12, may be varied as desired.

One of the preferred methods of manufacture of a cooling tower fan throat or ring of the kind just above described is through use of structure illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 and includes a supporting framework that is initially set up and that is broadly designated by the numeral 54. Framework 54 includes a central hub member 56 and a plurality of separable independent forming fixtures 58. The hub member 56 constitutes a horizontal plate centrally perforated as at 60 and provided with a plurality of pairs of upstanding, perforated bosses 62. Bosses 62 are as illustrated, arranged in an annular path and equi-distantly spaced about the periphery of hub 56 and upon the uppermost face thereof. Each of the fixtures includes an elongated horizontal member 64, an upright, angularly disposed forming member 66 and an angularly arranged brace 68. One edge of each upright forming member 66 is longitudinally curved as shown in Fig. 4 to conform to the desired shape of the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and is secured directly to one end of the corresponding member 64. The opposite end of each horizontal member 64 is releasably joined with the hub 56 between corresponding upstanding bosses 62 by means of suitable pins 72. A stack or the like 74, holds the hub 56 in a stationary position while the framework 54 is placed in use.

In utilizing framework 54 to produce the cooling tower ring above described, the lowermost and innermost band 22 of body portion 16 is first nailed or otherwise secured directly to all of the forming members 66 on the arcuate edges 70 thereof and intermediate the ends of forming members 66 as illustrated, such starting band 22 being designated broadly by the numeral 76. Next, the remaining bands 22 of the innermost layer 20, are superimposed upon the starting band 76 and also secured directly to the forming members 66. From this point, the remaining layers 20 and all of the bands 3t and 40, are progressively laid in place and interconnected by nailing or the like without securing the same in any way to the forming members 66. However, as the bands 30 and 40 are laid, the arcuate edges 70 of members 66 below starting band 76 serve as a guide and determine the flared contour of the body portion 18. As soon as all of the bands are laid and interconnected the framework 54 is disassembled and the forming members 66 are all pulled loose from the band 76 and the bands 22 thereabove. The entire finished body 14 is thereupon ready for positioning upon the cooling tower 50 and the rings 44 and 48 are placed thereon for securing the body 14 in place through use of bolts 52.

It is appreciated from the foregoing that a fan ring for cooling towers of the aferomentioned character can be quickly and inexpensively manufactured at the point of use ready for final attachment to the cooling tower proper. All of the component parts of the ring can be shipped and hauled to the point of assembling in a flat condition, since as above set forth each segment for each band and layer constitutes an initially fiat, elongated strip of sheet material. Virtually all that is needed in addition to such sheets of material to complete the assembly is a supply of nails or like fastening elements. Likewise the framework 54 is of such nature as to permit quick assembly and since the same is readily collapsible, the parts thereof can also be transported with ease. Complicated and inexpensive dies and fixtures are not needed to produce the fan ring hereof and since the entire assembly is exceedingly light in weight, transportation costs are reduced to a minimum. It is noted that the laminated nature of the walls forming the ring, present an extremely sturdy structure that is capable of withstanding considerable stress and high winds that are predominate in relatively high towers commonly used in this field.

It is to be appreciated further that precise details of construction of the ring itself and variances in the steps of manufacture may well be changed Within the spirit of this invention and it is therefore desired to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. The method of making a cooling tower fan throat having a cylindrical, laminated uppermost portion and a circular, outwardly-flared, lowermost portion which comprises the steps of erecting a temporary framework having an annular series of forming fixtures, each provided with an upright forming member having an outermost edge provided with an uppermost vertical stretch and a lowermost concave stretch; attaching a plurality of annular rings to said vertical stretches in superimposed, abutting relationship, presenting an innermost layer circumscribing the forming members and forming a part of said uppermost portion of the fan throat; fastening a number of additional layers to said innermost layer, each consisting of a plurality of annular rings disposed in superimposed, abutting relationship to complete the uppermost portion; surrounding said concave stretches with a number of annular bands, progressively increasing in diameter as the lowermost ends of the forming members are approached while interconnecting said bands and joining the uppermost band with said uppermost portion, each band being laid in partial overlapping relationship to bands next adjacent thereto to form said lowermost portion; and detaching the framework from said innermost layer.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said rings and said bands each comprise a plurality of segments and wherein the segments are laid in end-to-end, abutting relationship.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the bands are of equal Width and are laid in progressively increased overlapping relationship as said lowermost ends of the forming members are approached.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,287,197 Sandberg June 23, 1942 2,321,465 Crom June 8, 1943 2,326,176 Schierenbeck Aug. 10, 1943 2,433,966 Van Keuren Jan. 6, 1948 2,585,237 Gay Feb. 12, 1952 2,600,630 Fergusson June 17, 1952 2,631,015 Probst Mar. 10, 1953 2,686,961 Ellefsen Aug. 24, 1954 

